SNL Sketch Sparks Controversy by Linking VP Vance to Pope's Death
Saturday Night Live’s latest sketch has stirred controversy by humorously suggesting that Vice President JD Vance may have been involved in the death of Pope Francis.
In a bold move, ‘Saturday Night Live’ (SNL) aired a sketch that has drawn significant attention and criticism for implying that Vice President JD Vance could be linked to the death of Pope Francis. The episode, which began with a light-hearted Mother’s Day tribute, quickly shifted gears into political satire. James Austin Johnson, portraying President Donald Trump, made a jest about the newly elected Pope Leo XIV and then darkly suggested that Vance’s recent meeting with Pope Francis might have had dire consequences.
The sketch referenced Vance’s visit to the Pope on Easter Sunday, just a day before the pontiff’s death, sparking online conspiracy theories and humorous accusations against Vance. Despite the gravity of the situation, the show continued to mock the situation, with Johnson’s Trump character humorously attributing a series of global mishaps to Vance’s ‘Midas touch for bad things.’
Vance, who was the last world leader to meet Pope Francis, expressed his condolences on social media, reflecting on the profound impact of the meeting. However, the timing of his visit fueled speculation and became fodder for SNL’s comedic take on current events. The sketch also took aim at Catholicism, drawing controversial comparisons to American institutions.
This episode of SNL has reignited debates about the boundaries of political satire, especially when it touches on sensitive topics like religion and the death of a global religious leader. As the show continues to push the envelope, it remains to be seen how such content will be received by its audience and the figures it portrays.